by Congressman Charles Rangel
Last week I addressed a forum hosted by Peace Action Manhattan, formerly West
Side Peace Action, among the city's leading activists on behalf of peace.
The new, county-wide organization is an expression of the growing momentum of activism against our current military entanglements.
No matter how we may feel about the Middle East wars--and I would like to see them end today--there is no question that we support the men and women in uniform whose job is to salute when the flag is raised and fight whomever they're told is the enemy.
But as I said at the Peace Action meeting, God didn't put us here to kill each other. War is a man-made invention and must be stopped by men--and women. The price of the current conflicts has been very high for Americans: more than 5,600 killed, and almost 40,000 wounded. Thanks to technology, thousands survive terrible wounds to return home maimed and disfigured, many with wounds not visible to the eye, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
This war has escaped the attention of most Americans who have no family members serving in the conflicts. In effect, these wars are being fought by other people's children. I firmly believe that if all Americans were subject to service--whether in uniform or in some civilian role, the wars might be over today.
President Obama and Democrats in Congress have worked hard to improve the benefits available to our veterans, including more generous education benefits, business opportunities and health care. I am also working with the Administration and the relevant committees in Congress and to improve the mental health and psychological services available to those men and women--even before they leave the service.
We owe all our veterans a debt of gratitude for their service. The first debt is to ensure that they and their families receive the health and education benefits they are entitled to.
Beyond that, we must make our voices heard--such as the members Peace Action Manhattan--in demanding an end to a conflict that has become the longest war in our history.
Return to Charlie's Blog
Leave a comment